As writers, we all know the feeling of working on our books for months, sometimes years, before we are ready to send them out into the world.

At first we rely on the kind support of friends and family but eventually, we have to let our books go through rigorous and, often, painful edits before they are polished and ready to launch. Sometimes they find a warm audience and sometimes they face a more chilly reception.

It is easier said than done to let them go and move on to our next project. We find ourselves watching from the sidelines hoping that they will find their readers, that the story we poured so much of our hearts into will bless others.

This weekend, I was stunned to learn that my book, The Space Between Us, has been selected as the winner of a Word Award in middle-grade fiction. These awards recognize the best in Canadian Christian books and I’m honoured it was chosen. It also received an Award of Merit in the category of top fiction book.

I am grateful to my family and friends for their support, to Kiri Jorgensen and Chicken Scratch Books for believing in the story and to the Word Guild for championing Canadian Christian writers. Writing is a solitary and often lonely calling making moments like this shine even brighter.

If you haven’t yet picked up a copy of The Space Between Us, let this be your sign. My deepest wish is for this story to become a family favourite, the kind of book that impacts generations of children.